Flow control valve mechanism



March 30, 1954 c, E ADAMS I 2,573,422

FLOW CONTROL VALVE MECHANISM Filed June 18, 1948 2 sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

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FLOW CONTROL VALVE MECHANISM Filed June 18, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla. 4 3

INVENTOR. y 4 /7A CECIL E. ADAMS K 3 BY Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Denison Engineering Company,

Columbus,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 18, 1948, Serial No. 33,906

This invention relates generally to hydraulic apparatus and in more particular aspects is directed to an improvement in flow control valve mechanisms.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a flow control valve mechanism which will overcome objections to previously provided mechanisms of the general character. In such previous mechanisms numerous models were necessary to provide for the different volumes of fluid utilized in the operation of different hydraulic systems. In other words, the previous devices had different ranges of capacities requiring the manufacturer and dealer to stock many different sizes in order to supply the requirements of their customers. With these previous devices, it was often'impossible to obtain a flow control valve, which would coincide in range with a given pump volume, inasmuch as, such previous flow control devices were manufactured in ranges varying in steps.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new control valve mechanism which is adjustable to provide an infinite number of capacity ranges and adjustable also to provide from 0 to 100% control of any selected capacity. v

It is also an object of this invention to provide a flow control valve mechanism of the type mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which will operate to control fluid flow regardless of the direction of such flow through the mechanism. In previous flow control mechanisms, a single directional fiow control was provided in which fluid flowing in one direction only was controlled; the device being inoperative if fluid flowed in the opposite direction.

Another object of this invention is to so construct the mechanism, that it will be operative with fluids subjected to high pressures, such pressures varying from 0 to 5000# per square inch.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a flow control valve mechanism, which will be composed of a minimum number of parts arranged in such relation as to provide a compact device, in contrast to the bulky devices heretofore provided for performing the same functions.

Another object is to provide a flow control valve mechanism having a pair of body members formed with overlapping recesses to provide an orifice having a rectangular shape, the body members being adjustable to vary both the width and length of the rectangular orifice, the fluid pressures existing at the opposite sides of the orifice being employed to control the relative size of a fluid passage extending through the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flow control valve mechanism composed of inner and outer body members having passageforming recesses and the orifice-forming recess as set forth in the preceding paragraph, means 11 Claims. (CI. 50-35) being provided in the body members to progressively reduce the fluid pressure during flow through the passage formed in the member, so that the device may be used with fluids at high pressure without subjecting the parts of the device to premature wear due to wire-drawing or similar erosive eifects and without requiring the parts of the device to be finished to close tolerance during the manufacture thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fiow control valve mechanism having inner and outer body members, each having interior chambers and being formed with recesses and ports which cooperate to form a passage through the device, the members also having recesses to form the rectangular orifice as previously set forth and means for effecting the relative adjustment of the members to vary the width and length of the orifice whereby the capacity of the device willbe adjustable and each capacity may be varied from 0 to 100% thereof, the chamber in the inner body member being provided with a resiliently centered flow control spool operative upon movement in either direction to vary the efiective size of the passage in the device, passage. means being provided to conduct fluid pressure from opposite sides of the orifice to the ends of the flow control spool to effect movement thereof, in opposition to the resilient centering means.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a planview of the flow control valve mechanism formed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the flow control valve mechanism on the plane indicated by the line IIII of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and '7 are vertical transverse sectional views taken on the planes indicated by the lines III-J11, IV-IV, V--V, VIVI and VII VII, respectively, of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an orifice formed in the flow control valve mechanism by recesses provided in certain parts thereof, this section is taken on line VIIIVI1I and is made to appear fiat, rather than curved, to show the size and shape of the orifice.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved flow control valve mechanism forming the subject matter of the invention is designated by the numeral 20. This mechanism includes a pair of body members 2! and 22, each being provided with an internal chamber 23 and 24, respectively. The body member 22 is disposed in the chamber 23 of the body member 2|, being of such size as to be adjustable both longitudinally and rotationably therein. The first or outer body member 2| has a flat bottom surface so that the device may be mounted on a sub-plate 26, this plate having openings 21 formed therein through which fluid is conducted to and from the flow control valve mechanism. The sub-plate 26 is also provided with another opening 28, which leads to the reservoir of a fluid system and through which drainage from the flow control valve mechanism is conducted.

The body member 2| has ports 23, 38 and 3|, which connect with the ports in the sub-plate when the body member is secured thereto. the ports 29, 30 and 3| extending to the interior chamber 23, which is formed in the body 2|. port 30 isconnected with chamber 23 by a relatively narrow elongated slot 30-A shown in Fig. 2 the slot-like recess 38-A extending circumferentially around chamber 23 as shown in Fig. 5.

The purpose of this arrangement will be apparent from the following description.

Body member 22 has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, annular grooves 32 to 36 inclusive, formed in the exterior thereof, groove 32 registering with the inner end of port 3 I, groove 33 registering with port 23 and groove 35 partially registerin with the slot-like recess 38-A. Grooves 32 and 3B are connected by a series of drilled holes 31 and 38 formed in the body member 2|, the holes 31 being drilled on an angle and intersecting the hole 38 which is drilled from one end of the body member 2|. This hole is plugged, as at 48, to prevent the escape of fluid to the exterior of the device. Grooves 32 and 38 are disposed adjacent the ends of the member 22 and serve r to collect fluid leaking from the other grooves in the member 22, this fluid being conducted through the passages 31 and 38 to passage 3| from which it flows to passage 2'! in the sub-plate and is conducted therefrom to the reservoir of the hydraulic system.

Body member 22 is also provided with a plurality of openings, which extend transversely through the side wall thereof and terminate in communication with the interior chamber 23,

these openings being designated by numerals 4| to 46 inclusive. Openings 4| communicate at their outer ends with recess 33; while openings 44 and 45 communicate at their outer ends with recess 34; opening 46 in turn communicates at its outer end with recess 35. Body 22 has a recess 41 formed therein at one edge of the groove 34, this receess providing a circumferentially extending rectangular opening at the surface of the member 22. This rectangular opening is disposed adjacent the rectangular slot 38-A at inner end of the port 38 and overlaps such port to provide an orifice 48. This overlapping relationship of these openings is disclosed in the view shown in Fig. 8. The function of the orifice 48 formed by these overlapped slots will be set forth hereinafter.

At the open end of the chamber 23, the member 22 is provided withscrew threads to receive a plug 49 which completes the body 22 and closes the end of the chamber 23. This plug is provided on its outer end with a head 58 spaced from the plug by a reduced neck 5|, this neck being formed for reception by a slot 52 formed in a disk 53; this disk engages the outer end of a plurality of coil springs 54, which are disposed in recesses 55 formed in one end of the body 2|. The springs tend to urge the body member 22 toward the left end of the body member 2|, as the same is viewed in Fig. 2. This movement is resisted by a set The screw 56, which is carried by an adjusting knob 51 threadedly received by a cap 58 which is rigidly secured to the end of the body member 2| by screws 60. The cap 58 is provided with a pin 6| which projects into the slot 52 formed in the disk 53, this arrangement of parts serving to prevent the rotation of the disk 53 when the knob 51 is adjusted.

It will be seen that through the adjustment of the knob 51 relative longitudinal movement may be imparted to the member 22, the rotation of the knob in one direction permitting springs 54 to expand and move body 22 in one direction; rotation of the knob 51 in the opposite direction serving to move the body member 22 in opposition to the force of the springs54. This rela tive movement of body members 2| and 22 serves to change the overlapping relationship of the recess 41 and slot 38-A, thus varying the width of the orifice 48 produced by the overlapping recesses.

Chamber 23 has been provided to slidably receive a flow control spool designated generally by the numeral 62, which spool has a socket extending thereinto from the left end, as viewed in Fig. 2. Spool 62 is provided with a series of spaced exterior grooves 63 to 66 inclusive, some of these grooves communicating with the inner ends of the openings 4|, 42, 43 and 44, and cooperating therewith to provide a tortuous passage extending between grooves 33 and 3 4. Groove 66 registers with the inner ends of openings 45 and establishes communication between these openings and a port 61, leading to the socket formed in the spool. This spool is provided with an interior shoulder 68 for engagement by a perforated washer 18 constituting an abutment for one end of a compression spring I l; the opposite end of which abuts a second perforated washer 12. This washer in turn abuts a lock ring 13 carried by the spool 62. The spring H surrounds a bolt 14, which is threaded into the plug 49, the bolt having a head I5 disposed on the opposite sides of the washer 18 from the spring ll. This spring and washer arrangement serves to normally retain the spool 62 in a central position, that is, a position in which the unreduced portions of the spool between grooves 33 and 35 are disposed in registration with the centers of the openings 42 and 43. When the spool is in this position the passage formed by the connecting ports and recesses is open to a maximum degree and movement of the spool '62 in eitherdirection therefrom will tend to reduce the effective size of this passage thus controlling fluid flow therethrough.

The spool 62 is moved in response to the occurrence of a pressure differential at opposite sides of the orifice 48 produced by the overlapping recesses. If fluid flow through the device is established by introducing fluid through port 29, the higher pressure of the pressure differential will obtain in groove 34; this pressure will be conducted through openings 45 to groove 6t and through port 61 to the socket in spool 62. The lower pressure which will obtain in port 38 will be conducted by way of groove 35 and port 46 to the inner end of chamber 24, these contrasting pressures being applied to the opposite ends of the spool 62. Since the higher pressure is effective on the end surfaces facing toward the left, as the spool is viewed in Fig. 2, this presture will tend to move the spool toward the right, causing the shoulders at the left hand sides of grooves 63, 64 and 65 to move toward the shoulders at the right hand sides of the openingsAI,

5. 42 and 43. These relatively movable shoulders form throttling orifices which retard the fluid flow through the passage. Since three sets of shoulders are provided, three progressive reductions in pressure will take place during the flow of fluid through the passage. In the event fluid is introduced to the device through the opening 30, the higher pressure of the pressure differential caused by the orifice t8 will obtain in port 3!! and. this pressure will be applied to the right end of the spool 62, whereas the lower pressure of the pressure differential will be effective at the left end of the spool and the spool will thus be caused to move toward the left. The shoulders at the right hand sides of grooves 63, 64 and 65 will then be moved toward the shoulders of the opposite sides of the openings 42, 43 and 44 to reduce the efiective size of the throttling orifices and consequently the passage formed by the cooperating recesses.

It will be seen that the flow control valve mechanism is operative to control the fluid flow therethrough regardless of the direction of such flow. It will also be obvious that the effective area of the orifice 48 can be changed through the relative rotation of the body members El and 22. This rotation is performed by grasping the exposed end of body 22 and revolving the same. The extent of adjustment is determined by stop pins #6 and H which are carried by the body 22 and knob 51, respectively. Undesired adjustment in longitudinal and rotational directions is prevented by suitable set screws 78.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a pre ferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. Flow control valve mechanism comprising a body member having an internal chamber inlet and outlet ports communicating therewith; a second body member disposed in said chamber for longitudinal and rotational adjustment relative to the first body member, said members iorming a passage connecting said inlet and outlet ports and having complemental openings cooperating to form an orifice in said passage, fluid flow through said passage causing pressure difiershoes at opposite sides of said orifice, relative longitudinal adjustment of said members serving to vary the width of said orifice and. rotary adjustment thereof serving to vary the length of said orifice; and a flow controlling spool in one of said members, said spool being exposed and responsive to the pressure differentials at opposite sides of said orifice to regulate fluid flow between said inlet and outlet ports.

2. Flow control valve mechanism comprising a body member provided with an internal chamher and a pair of ports communicating therewith; a second body member disposed in said chamber, said members being movable longitudinally and rotationally relative to one another and having complemental openings cooperating to form an orifice of variable length and Width; a flow control spool disposed for movement in one of said members, said spool and the member adjacent thereto being formed with recesses forming a passage connecting said pair of ports through said orifice, fluid flow through said passage causing pressure differences at opposite sides of said oriflce;,and additional passage means for applying the fluid pressure difierentials existing at opposite sides of said orifice to the ends of said 6 spoolto move the same to change the effective size of the passage formed by said recesses.

3. Flow control valve mechanism comprising a body member having an internal chamber and a pair of ports communicating therewith; a second body member disposed in said chamber, said members being provided with rectangular recesses arranged adjacent one another to form an orifice; means for moving said members relative to one another to vary the width of said orifice; means for revolving one of said members relative to the other to vary the length of said orifice; one of said members having a second chamber formed therein; a flow control spool disposed for movement in said second chamber; said spool and the member adjacent thereto having recesses forming a passage connecting said pair of ports through said orifice; and additional passage means extending from said second chamber at the ends of said flow control spool to the opposite sides of said orifice.

4. Flow control valve mechanism comprising a body member provided with an internal chamber and a pair of ports communicating therewith; a second body member disposed in said chamber, said members being movable longitudinally and rotationally relative to one another and having complemental openings cooperating to form an orifice of variable length and width; a flow control spool disposed for movement in one of said members, said spool and the member adjacent thereto being formed with passageforming recesses disposed relative to and co operating with said orifice to connect the ports of said pair; yieldable means tending to maintain said flow control spool in position to cause said recesses to form a passage of predetermined size; and fluid conducting means provided in said members to apply fluid pressure differentials at opposite sides of said orifice to the end portions of said spool to reduce the effective size of the passage formed by said recesses.

5. Flow control valve mechanism comprising a pair of telescoped body members having ports and recesses forming a fluid conducting passage, said members being provided with recesses arranged adjacent one another to form a rectangular orifice in said passage, fluid flow through said passage causing a pressure differential between opposite sides of said orifice; means for adjusting said members relative to one another to vary the width and length of said orifice; a flow control spool disposed for longitudinal movement in the inner of said body members; means on said spool operative upon movement thereof to vary the efiective size of said passage; means yieldably resisting longitudinal movement of said fiow control spool; and means for applying the fluid pressures existing at opposite sides of said orifice to the ends of said flow control spool to move the same in opposition to said yieldable resisting means.

6. Flow control valve mechanism comprising a pair of telescoped body members having ports and recesses forming a fluid conducting passage, said members being provided with recesses arranged adjacent one another to form a rectangular orifice in said passage, fluid flow through said passage causing a pressure difierential between opposite sides of said orifice; means carried by one member and engaging the other, said means being operative to efiect relative longitudinal adjustment of said members, to change the Width of said orifice; means for effecting relative rota-, tional adjustment of said members to vary the length of said orifice; a flow control spooldisposed for longitudinal movement in the inner of said body members; means on said spool operative upon movement thereof to vary the effective size of said passage; spring means tending to restrain said spool against movement in either direction; and means for applying the fluid pressures existing at opposite sides of said orifice to the ends of said flow control spool to move the same in opposition to said spring means to vary the effective size of said passage.

'7. Flow control valve mechanism comprising inner and outer body members having internal chambers and passage-forming ports and recesses formed therein, said members having recesses arranged adjacent one another to form a rectangular orifice in the passage formed by said recesses fluid flow through said passage causing pressure differences at opposite sides of said orifice; spring means between said body members tending to impart relative movement thereto to change the width of said orifice in one direction; adjustable means carried by one and engaging the other of said members to impart relative movement thereto in opposition to said spring means; means for effecting relative rotational movement of said members to vary the length of said orifice; a fiow control spool disposed for movement in the chamber in said inner body member; spring means engaging said spool and tending to resist movement thereof in either direction; means on said spool operative upon movement thereof to vary the efiective size of said passage; and passage means formed in certain of said members for conducting fiuid pressures obtaining at the sides of said orifice to the ends of said spool to move the same in opposition to said spring means.

8. A flow control mechanism comprising a body with a longitudinally extending bore and spaced laterally extending ports communicating therewith, one of said ports communicating with said bore through an elongated slot extending circumferentially of said bore; a second body disposed in the bore of the first-mentioned body, said second body having an internal chamber, external grooves and spaced laterally extending ports formed in said second body; a spool member having external grooves disposed for move,- ment in the internal chamber of said second body, the grooves and ports in said spool and second body cooperating to form a passage connecting the ports in the first-mentioned body, said second body having an elongated groove extending circumferentially thereof and cooperating with the slot in said first-mentioned body to form an orifice in said passage, fluid flow through said passage causing pressure differences at opposite sides of said orifice; means at one end of said first-mentioned body for turning said second body in the first-mentioned body to change the length of said orifice; a second means at the opposite end of the first-mentioned body for moving the second body longitudinally to vary the width of said orifice; and passage means in at least one of said bodies for applying the fluid pressures at opposite sides of said orifice to said spool to control fluid flow through said passage.

9. A flow control mechanism comprising a said bore through an elongated slot extending circumferentially of said bore; a second body disposed in the bore of the first-mentioned body, said second body having an internal chamber, external grooves and spaced laterally extending ports formed in said second body; a spool memher having external grooves disposed for movement in the internal chamber of said second body, the grooves in said spool being so disposed relative to the ports and grooves in said second body as to form a tortuous passage with a series of orifices connecting the ports in the firstmentioned body, said second body having an elongated groove extending circumferentially thereof and overlapping the slot in the first-mentioned body to form a rectangular orifice in said passage, fluid flow: through said passage causing pressure difierences at opposite sides of said orifice, means at one end of said first-mentioned body for turning said second body relativ to said first-mentioned body to change the length of said rectangular orifice; a second means at one end of said first-mentioned body for adjusting said second mentioned body longitudinally to vary the width of said rectangular orifice, and passage means in at least one of said bodies for applying the fluid pressures at opposite sides of said rectangular orifice to said spool to Vary the effective sizes of the orifices in said tortuous passage.

10. A fiow control mechanism comprising telescoping body, sleeve and spool valve members forming a passage and being adjustable in two directions to form an orifice to cause a pressure drop when fluid fiows through said passage, at a predetermined rate, said spool valve member being movable in response to pressure difierences at opposite ends thereof to control fluid fiow through said passage; passage means formed by at least one of said members for applying the fiuid pressures at opposite sides of said orifice to opposite ends of said spool valve member; and means for adjusting said sleeve member relative to said body member to independently vary in two directions the size of said orifice.

11. In a flow control mechanism of the type having a passage and means responsive to a pressure drop for governing fluid flow through said passage; first and second body means receiving said fiuid pressure responsive means and forming an orifice in said passage to create a pressure drop when fluid flows therethrough, said first orifice-forming body means being adjustable in two directions relative to said second orificeforming body means to select the potential size of said orifice and vary the effective size thereof between fully closed and maximum open conditions.

CECIL E. ADAMS.

References Cited in the file of this patent France of 1936 

